“Cold Driven was formed in early, 2005 by founding member’s vocalist Billy Nickell, bassist Dennis Nickell, guitarist Shane Bouthillier and guitarist Ben Bouthillier’s mutual passion for creating unique and original music. With the rock solid foundation of this band being brothers they recorded their debut album, “Set In Stone” (2005) and established themselves as a fresh new force in music, that revealed a multi-faceted group which thrives on creative exploration and escape.

With the nationwide release of “Steel Chambers” (2007), Cold Driven further reinforced their distinctive sound. On the strength of those songs, and extensive touring across Canada in 2008, CD pushed their first single “Heavier Than Heaven” to number 51 on the Canadian rock charts, solidifying a strong fan base across the country.

With recent changes to the band, CD looked to drummer and longtime friend Jeremy McLachlan from their hometown of Armstrong, B.C. to become their fifth and final member. With the core of the band together they now have their sights set on recording an explosive third record with producer Danny Craig from platinum recording artists Default.”

May The Rock Be With You checked in with vocalist Billy Nickell.

For those that haven’t heard of Cold Driven, can you give us a quick introduction to the band?

We are a 5-piece band out of Armstrong, B.C. Canada. We have been together for about 5 years now, toured Canada extensively, released two albums and are working on our third.

How would you describe your sound?

We are a melodic hard rock group laced with sequencing elements that range from industrial to symphonic.

You’ve been a band since 2005 and in that time have released 2 albums, how have you grown both as a band and musically over your time together?

Oh man that's a big question! When we first started we basically we're a bunch of kids with a ton of different musical styles, and no boundaries. We just wanted to make some music that explored all those styles, and created a different sound. We also liked having an excuse to get together and drink!

Over the years, we have learned a lot about writing cohesive songs, both musically and lyrically. We have focused our sound a lot more, and I think we've began to create an identity. We have a rule of thumb when we writing new material, we ask ourselves "does that sound Cold Driven enough?" And what that basically means is, we want someone to hear one of our riffs, or lyrics or melodies and be able to identify it as Cold Driven right away. It's taken a few years to find where we are comfortable musically and where our strengths are as a band. So we like to stay within that identity, and feel like we are offering something new for listeners.

I think one of the things that has helped us get to the point that we are at musically is how we have dealt with each other personally. We have been through a lot of fights, and poured and lot of blood sweat and tears into this band. Every struggle we've come up against has made us closer and given us the ability to hear each other out, both musically and personally. (So we've basically learned how to tolerate each other!!) We got to the point that we are comfortable with who we are as individuals and as a group. Because we have been through a lot of growth personally, it's allowed to a more mature sound in the music.

Who are some of your main musical influences?

One thing that I think we all relate on was our love for hard rock. We listen to a lot of metal as well and we like to pull in elements of that when we feel like we need it. Some of the bands that have influenced us are Linkin Park, Disturbed, Three Days Grace, Breaking Benjamin, Soilwork, and In flames.

‘Steel Chambers’ was released in 2007 and was in essence self produced, its now 2009 and you’re working on a new album with producer / Default band member Danny Craig.  What can we expect from this new record and when can we expect to hear the end result?

Working with Danny on this record has been great. He challenged us to make every part better than the last, and so far we haven’t settled on anything until we knew it was great. We are trying to make the absolute best product that we can at this point in time. He has helped us look at writing differently, trying things outside of the box, but still being us. So far on this record we tried to get back to the heavier and darker side of things, both lyrically and musically. We don’t have a release date for the new album, but you can expect to see it in early 2010.  

From all reports, Cold Driven are at their best on stage and have opened for some big Canadian artists such as Default, Sam Roberts and Corb Lund.  Did you pick up any tips from any of these seasoned professionals?

We are a band that thrives on getting better, so any time we have a chance to share a stage with a well respected band, we absorb everything we can. Playing with bands like this has taught us to give 150%, and leave it all out on the stage every night. You have to be professional on and off stage. You have to practice, practice, practice!  

If you had the choice of touring with 2 bands, past or present, who would they be and why?

I know everyone in the band would have different answers for this one, but personally I would love to tour with Three Days Grace. I am a huge fan of the band, especially Adam Gontier, he is one of my all time favorite vocalists. I’m sure I would annoy him to death trying to pick his brain all the time. Another band that I would love to have the chance to tour with is Linkin Park. They’re a band that has personally influenced me a lot. It would massive honor to share the stage with either band, and I think I could learn so much from both bands.

Do you have any plans to try and take Cold Driven to any other territories outside of Canada?

We really want to go the US and Europe. I know when the right opportunity comes by we will be heading both of those directions.  

Lastly, what does success look like for Cold Driven?

I don’t believe in thinking small, so success to me looks like headlining arena tours. I want people to come see us with a large production. I want Cold Driven to be the reason why 15,000+ bodies walk through the doors of a stadium. I also want every person that walks through those doors to leave feeling like they just saw one of the best shows of their lives.